Communication with Hezbollah’s senior leader cut off after Israeli airstrike in Beirut: Report – Times of India

Communication with Hezbollah’s senior leadership was reportedly lost following a series of Israeli airstrikes on the southern suburbs of Beirut, according to a source close to the Lebanese armed group. As of Friday evening, Hezbollah had not issued any statement regarding the fate of its leader, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, , as per Reuters news agency.The Israeli military conducted a massive airstrike targeting Hezbollah’s headquarters in southern Beirut on Friday, marking the most substantial bombardment in nearly a year of conflict. The assault resulted in the destruction of multiple buildings in the Dahiyeh suburb, injuring several people.The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) claimed on social media platform X that Hezbollah possesses over 150,000 rockets intended to target Israeli civilians. In light of safety concerns, the Israeli military urged Lebanese civilians to evacuate areas controlled by Hezbollah. The IDF further alleged that their conflict is with Hezbollah and not with the Lebanese people.The situation escalated further when Hezbollah retaliated by launching “rocket salvos” towards the northern Israeli town of Safed. This counterattack came in response to the earlier Israeli airstrikes that devastated Hezbollah’s stronghold. The exchanges between the Israeli military and Hezbollah indicate a significant advancement of hostilities in the region, as reported by the AFP news agency.The absence of communication from Hezbollah’s leadership raises questions about the group’s potential operational capabilities and strategic direction in the ongoing conflict.